Redistricting Commission may weigh transparency issue today

CHANDLER – Arizona’s redistricting commissioners today are scheduled to consider the chair’s proposal to subject themselves to transparency requirements already imposed on key advisers. Under the requirements, redistricting-related contacts with outsiders have to be reported.

The commission has been under a spotlight because of concerns by Republican politicians and tea party activists that hiring a Democratic-leaning firm as mapping consultants opens the door for drawing congressional and legislative districts favoring Democrats.

The commission also is expected to try to put its arms around one of its most contentious issues.

That issue centers on how the commission will approach its constitutional mandate to create as many districts as possible that are winnable by the both major parties’ candidates without violating other constitutional mandates, particularly compliance with the Voting Rights Act.